INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Reporter Attacked On Live Television, New Arrest Made

By Jacqueline Bowser
Published on: 01:55 PST, Jun 11, 2016

Philadelphia police arrested Waheedah Wilson, 37, for attacking Emmy Award-winning journalist Iris Delgado, a reporter for Telemundo 62, during a live broadcast in Philadelphia. Delgado had been reporting on the soda tax when the attacked accrued.

Delgado was reporting live during the 11 p.m. broadcast when Wilson approached her in front city hall. As Wilson came closer to the live newscast, she began shouting “Excuse me, Excuse me,” according to Philadelphia Magazine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt4KVc6YRuk

Delgado tried to ignore the women at first until it got physical. Wilson then grabbed Delgado by her arm and pulled her hair. Delgado tried blocking herself, and Wilson then started punching her in the face before throwing her on the ground. The news crew quickly switched back to anchor Ramon Zayas.

During the broadcast, Zayas was shouting “Ay, Dios mio,” which translates to “Oh my God ”

The news crew followed Wilson down the street for about a block after the attack on Delegado until police arrived. Waheedah Wilson was arrested and charged with recklessly endangering another person and simple assault, according to the Philadelphia district attorney’s office, ABC News reports.

Iris Delgado graduated from the University of Florida and soon began her journalism career. Delgado won an Emmy Award for her outstanding report “On the Brink of Death,” where she interviewed the sole survivor of beauty salon massacre in Florida. Delgado worked for many TV stations over the years before joining Telemundo 62 in 2013 reporting for the Hispanic community in the Philadelphia, Delaware, southern New Jersey, and Lehigh Valley areas. Delgado also worked as a weather presenter, reporter, and producer for Univision Orlando and for WUFT-FM.

Iris Delgado is also very active in the community and believes in humans rights, education, health, poverty alleviation, social services, civil rights, social action, children, economic empowerment, disaster, and humanitarian relief.

A spokesperson for Telemundo 62, issued a statement, saying, “Iris Delgado, was the victim of an unprovoked attack by an individual while reporting live for Telemundo’s 62, 11 p.m. local newscast. Thankfully she is o.k. and is understandably taking some time off to recover. We look forward to her return.”

Executives also praised the actions of the crew for working so quickly and helping police apprehend and arrest Wilson.

Anzio Williams, the vice president of news for WWSI and WCAU, said,”Iris Delgado, who was the target of the attack, and I am happy to report that she is in good spirits and that her physical injuries are minimal. She thanks you all for your support and well wishes.”

Delgado was lucky that her injuries were not too serious and told reporters that her head hurt after the attack.

Waheedah Wilson is no stranger to trouble. According to court documents, Wilson has a criminal history that stems back to 2002. Her rap sheet includes a conviction for drug possession with intent to deliver in 2004. She pleaded guilty to a contempt for violation of agreement in 2012, according to public records. Wilson is a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is scheduled to appear in court following her new arrest. She is awaiting a preliminary hearing after failing to post bail.

[Image via Shutterstock]

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